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Daily Archives: June 15, 2017

What a lot of excitement the other day! Hubby and I were helping out at a summer fête, which included a car boot sale (Jumble Sale for us older bods). During one of my breaks from holding down the Bric-a-brac stall (to raise money for my niece’s school) I had a wander and spotted this.

The case starts to open out with a flap, and show a lovely grasshopper green . . . and then

Ooooh yes! An Elna sewing machine. And not just any Elna sewing machine. This is what is affectionately called “the Grasshopper”.

Now, I have to admit, I didn’t know that when I saw it. I just knew it was old and I wanted it, regardless of whether it was in working order or not. A little bit of haggling took place, and it was mine for 12€.

Back home, I googled, to learn more about this machine. Made in Switzerland, between 1940 and 1952 it was Elna’s first mass produced portable sewing machine. It was nick-named “Grasshopper” because of its green colour, and its physical appearance (more photos when you scroll down). Was produced in 3 series with very slight changes made. My machine is dated August 1950, so is the third series.

It’s ever so nifty! First of all, as you can see, the travel case opens out . . . and serves a purpose because

It becomes a sewing table!

There is no foot pedal, but a knee lever which swivels out and unfolds into position to operate the machine.

Has a light under the neck.

This is where the lower bobbin goes, and where tension is sorted. There’s even a thread cutter incorporated just behind the foot.

The stitch size regulator. The Grasshopper can only do straight stitch. When you slide the lever away from you, the machine does a reverse stitch.

The wheel is low down, and you can see here where bits go to wind up a bobbin. There is also a bit sticking out for a speed regulator, but that accessory was missing from my box.

It came with many of its original accessories including oil cans and screw driver. In the special box (missing its lid) which has a place at the back of the machine.

The box has little feet that slot into the holes in the base.

Everything is so well thought out!

Anyway . . . husband checked out the wiring. Grasshopper runs on 110V and came with a transformer. And, despite being 67 years old, it works!

However the belt was rather slack

So I have MacGyvered a new one using a rubber seal for preserve jars. I now need to sit down, with lots of patience, and tweek tension. Grasshopper sews, and with a lovely quiet whir . . . so if I can get tension worked out, then I plan on piecing a small patchwork project on this lovely piece of machinery.